Barrel plating machine



Filed may 26. 1955 Sheet 1 l I L+ ll l l l l l u PV l l W l l I I r l INENTOR rfaffzs' Szeremazzy BY M ATT'ORNEY V l F. i. ...Lili r,

J. SZEREMANY BARREL PLATING MACHINE March 25, 1969 Sheet Filed May 26. 1965 INVENTOR. Jaas Szeremaqg BY m,

ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,434,954 BARREL PLATING MACHINE Julius Szerernany, Florllam Park, NJ., assigner to Daniels Plating Barrel & Supply Company, Newark, NJ., a corporation of New Jersey Filed May 26, 1965, Ser. No. 458,898 Int. Cl. C23b 5/78 U.S. Cl. 294--214 4 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A rotatable, pivoted basket type electroplating apparatus having a mounting means similar to an oarlock, comprising a clevis supporting the drive means and basket, and attached to a stud which cooperatively mounts in a socket of a clamping means suitable to clamp on the edge of an electroplating tank.

This invention relates generally to the art of electroplating and more particularly to electroplating apparatus having a detachable container unit and a detachable portble motor drive unit for rotating the container unit.

A prime object of the present invention is to provide electroplating apparatus with a rotatable container unit and a motor drive unit for rotating the container unit, which motor drive unit is detachably, rotatably, tiltably and slidably mounted on the rim of the tank.

Another object of the invention is to provide electroplating apparatus wherein the container unit including the container for holding the articles and its mount may be readily and completely detached from the apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electroplating apparatus having novel mechanism for coupling the container unit to the drive unit.

Still, another object of the invention is to provide a novel connection between the motor drive unit and tank whereby motor drive unit is adapted to be detachably, rotatably, tiltably and slidably mounted on the rim of the tank.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a novel handle construction for the motor drive unit.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a novel clamp construction fo-r removably and slidably mounting the motor drive unit on the rim of the tank.

Other objects and advantages of the improved electroplating apparatus will be apparent from the description thereof to follow taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which- FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a fragment of an electroplating machine embodying the invention, the container unit being shown in uppermost position out of the solution, in full lines, and in operative position in the solution, n dot-dash lines.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the motor drive unit, showing the electric intake plug connected to a source of electric motive force in dot-dash lines.

FIG. 3 is an end view, looking from the right of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a wire diagram of the motor drive unit.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the coupling member.

Referring now in detail to the various views of the drawings, in FIG. l, a fragment of an electroplating machine is shown including an elongated metal tank 12 containing the solution 14 for treating small articles or workpieces, the tank being floor mounted and may be of any suitable shape, preferably rectangular.

The tank 12 includes a side wall 16, and end wall 18, a bottom wall (not shown) and is open at the top. A laterally extending flange or rim is integrally formed along the periphery of the top end edges of the side and end walls.

A number of separate tanks 12 may be operatively connected and contain various solutions used in the treatment, such as -cleaning and electroplating of the articles or work-pieces.

The nature of the electrolytie solution contained in the tank is not pertinent to the present invention and requires no further discussion.

In accordance with the present invention, a rotatable container unit 26 is shown detachably connected to an electric motor unit 28 for driving the container unit, the motor unit being shown on the flange or rim 20 on the end wall 18 of the tank.

The container unit 26 includes a round metal shaft or spindle 30. A rectangular frame o-r yoke structure 32 is fastened to one end of the shaft 30 by means of a hub portion 34 on the yoke structure and a set screw 36 prassing through the hub and engaging the end of the shaft. The base 40 of the cast yoke structure 32 and shaft 30 may be protected by a coating 42 of insulating material.

A container or tumbling barrel 44 for the articles to be plated is positioned inside and supported by the yoke structure 32. The container 44 may be of any suitable shape and size, but as shown is preferably cylindrical and cup-shaped and formed of insulating or non-conducting material which is also resistant to the action of the electroplating solution. For example, the container may be made of Plexiglas. The container also has a permeable or perforate side wall and is open at one end for filling and discharging. The container is mounted to rotate about its axis and also is tiltably mounted about another axis so that the container can selectively be rotatably suspended in the solution in the tank 12 or swung upwardly out of the solution for discharging or filling, or for inspection. The bottom wall 46 of the container is formed of a non-conductive material as part of barrel 44 and seated on the bottom vwall 46 there is a negative contact disc 48. The container 44 is connected to the yoke 32 by a headed screw 50 that passes through a hole in the disc 48 and through an aligned hole in the bottom wall 46 and is threaded into the yoke.

In FIG. l, the barrel 44 is shown in two possible positions, an operative position shown in dot-dash lines in which the barrel is suspended in the electrolytic solution, and a second position shown in full lines out of the solution.

The electric motor drive unit 28 for rotating the barrel 44 while the latter is suspended in the solution 14 in the tank 12 comprises a two-pole, shaded pole induction electric motor 54 including a casing 56 fastened to a at supporting plate 58 of plastic material by means of screws 60 and nuts 62. A drive shaft 64 projects from one end of the motor casing. A box 66 containing toggle switch mechanism is supported on the plate 58 and is provided with an end closure plate 68, a switch actuating handle 70 projecting through an opening in the closure plate.

As will be seen from the wiring diagram shown in FIG. 4, the motor and plug are connected in a circuit wherein the plug side of the circuit includes conductors 72, 74 and 76, conductors 74 and 76 that are connected by a wire nut 78. The conductor constitutes the minus side of the circuit. A neutral or ground conductor 82 has one end connected to a terminal 84 on the receptacle 90 and its other end connected to a terminal 86 on the motor leg by a screw and nut assembly 88.

A three-way mounting plug or cap 90 is mounted on the closure plate 68 below the handle 70 and is provided with three prongs 92, 94 and 96. The prongs are connected to the conductors 72, 80 and 82, respectively, and are adapted to be plugged into a three-way socket 98 flexibly connected to a source of electric motive force.

The end of the shaft 30 is detachably connected to the motor drive shaft 64 by means of a plastic coupling collar 100 mounted at one end on the motor drive shaft 64 and secured thereon by a set screw 102 passing through a hole 104 in the body of the collar. As shown in FIGURE 5 at the other end, the wall of the body of the collar is formed with an inverted L-shaped slot 104 intersecting one end edge thereof, extending inwardly of said edge as indicated at 106 and then extending perpendicularly thereto across the collar as indicated at 108 and terminating in an offset notch 110 extending lengthwise of the body of the collar toward the intersected end edge. A pin 112 projects radially from the free end of the shaft 30 and in coupling the shaft, the end of the shaft is inserted into the end of the collar 100 with the pin aligned with the slot 104 so that it rides in said slot portion 106 inwardly of the collar and then upon partial rotation of the shaft counter clockwise as viewed in FIG. 1, the pin rides in the slot transversely of the collar and upon a withdrawal movement lengthwise of the collar, the pin will become interlocked in the notch 110 preventing accidental displacement of the shaft 30 and thereby connecting the shaft 30 to the motor driving shaft 64 so that the motion of the motor drive shaft 64 is transmitted to the shaft 30 and in turn to the container unit 26 including the barrel 44.

The shaft 30 is supported adjacent its connection to the coupling collar 100 by an elongated bracket 114 fastened to the top surface of the iiat plate 58 at one end by a screw 116. The other end of the bracket mounts a channel shaped metal bearing member 118 open at its top to permit the shaft 30 to be inserted into and removed therefrom. The bracket 114 relieves the strain on the coupling and also serves as a negative contact.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, the motor drive unit 28 is detachably, rotatably, tiltably and slidably mounted on the ange or rim of tank 12. For this purpose, the motor supporting plate 58 is secured across the top flat surface of a tubular support 120 square in cross section disposed between the end uprights 122 on a clevis device or yoke 124 of metal. The upright ends 122 of the clevis device are formed with holes and welded to the outer surface of one of the upright ends over the hole therein is a hexagonal nut 126. A pin 128 passes through the bore in the tubular support 120 and has a threaded end 130 coacting with the threads of the tix nut 126. A knurled knob 131 is fastened on the other protruding end of pin 128, by means of a set screw 132 passing through a hub portion 134 formed on the knob and sleeved around the adjacent end of the pin. The operation of turning the knob in the proper direction tightens the upright ends 122 of the clevis device against the ends of the support 120. An integral pin 136 extends from the body of the clevis device midway its ends and loosely ts in a socket opening 138 in a bracket device 140. The bracket device 140 has an inverted C-shaped clamping body 142 having a central reinforcing rib 143. The upper leg of the body of the clamping body 142 is longer than the lower leg 144 and is indicated at 146 and as seen in FIG. l. An upright round bearing member 148 is formed integrally with the upper leg 146 and extending upwardly therefrom defining the socket opening 138 for receiving the pivot pin 136 whereby the motor drive unit is swivelly supported. The upper leg 146 is adapted to seat on the top surface of the flange or rim 20 of the end wall 18 of the tank 12 and thumb screws 150 extending through threaded openings in the lower leg 144 engage the under surface of the flange or rim 20 of the tank thereby clamping the bracket device to the flange or rim of the tank.

The motor drive unit 28 is formed with a handle construction 154 comprising a curved body 156 formed with an integral cross piece 158 at one end thereof. The cross piece is formed with threaded holes at its ends to receive screws 160 for fastening the crosspiece to the end of the motor casing 56. Heat insulating washers 162 are preferably interposed between the crosspiece and the end of the motor casing. The body of the handle construction extends lengthwise over the motor and switch box and is formed on the inner surface thereof with a series of closely spaced notches 164 to provide a gripping portion for the fingers of the operator to facilitate transportation of the motor assembly 54. The flange-connecting bracket device 140 is separably connected to the tank to facilitate the various movements of the motor drive unit and container unit.

The tank 12 is equipped with the usual anodes 166, only one of which is shown, suspended in the electrolytic solution from a rod 168 fixed between the end walls of the tank and one terminal 170 of an electric circuit may be connected to rod 168. The other or cathode terminal 172 may be mounted on the supporting plate 58. The current may then flow from the terminal 170 to the anodes 166 through the solution 14 to the cathode plate 48, screw 50, and the frame 32, shaft 30, bearing member 118, bracket 114 to the terminal 172 on the plate 58, and thence to the cathode rod in the tank (not shown).

In operation of the apparatus, assuming that the container or barrel 44 is in loading position as shown in full lines in FIG. 1 and is charged with articles to be plated. In order to swing the container or barrel into the solution 14 to the position shown in dot-dash lines in FIG. l, it is merely necessary to release the pressure of the upright ends 122 of the clevis device 124 from against the ends of supporting member by turning the pin 128 by means of the knob 131, whereupon the container unit 26 may be swung downwardly into the tank by rotating the motor disc unit 28 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 by means of the handle 154. When the container or barrel 44 is in this position, most of its interior will be submerged in the electrolytic solution. The drive motor 54 is then started which rotates the shaft 30 through the coupling collar 100. This rotation of the barrel causes a constant moving and shifting of the parts to be plated within the barrel by centrifugal action and also agitates the electrolytic solution to ensure an even plating.

In order to elevate the container unit out of the solution in the tank, it is merely necessary to rotate the motor drive unit 28 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. l by means of the handle 154.

The container unit 26 is easily detached from the motor drive unit 28 by sliding the shaft 30 inwardly of the coupling collar 100 to move it out of the notch 110, then partially turning the shaft 30 to move the pin 128 along the transverse portion 108 to the main portion 106 of the slot 104 whereupon upon a withdrawal movement of the shaft, the shaft will become -disconnected from the coupling collar 100. When the container unit 26 has thus been `detached it may be carried to a remote point and placed on a supporting surface for removing the plated articles and for refilling the barrel with the articles l to be plated, or for inspection or any other desired purpose.

Furthermore when the apparatus is in elevated position, the motor drive unit 28 may be completely detached from the bracket device or from the tank 12, may be slid along the flange or rim 20 of the tank, or may be rotated 360. This detachment may be done by lifting the motor 54 and associated parts including the clevis device 124 and pin 136 out of the socket opening 138 in the bracket device 140.

In order to slide the motor drive unit 28 along the flange or rim 20 of the tank 12, from one compartment in the tank to the next or from one connected tank to the next for the desired treatment of the articles being plated, it is merely necessary to place additional brackets 140 in proper positions, for example at each tank compartment to be used, or release the pressure of the thumb screws from the flange or rim 20 of the tank and move the unit and associated parts by means of the handle 154.

The motor drive unit 28 and associated parts may be readily rotated 360 degrees by merely turning such unit and parts around by means of the handle 154, the pin 136 and socket opening 138 connection permitting this operation.

During the plating operation, the barrel 44 is constantly rotated by the shaft 36, coupling 100 and motor drive shaft 64. The articles are tumbled about in the barrel by centrifugal action. This tumbling action ensures a repetitive contact of the articles with the exposed cathode plate 48 for short periods of time which greatly enhances the plating and the quality of the plating produced.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that changes in details of construction might be made without departing from the principle of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1s:

1. In an electroplating apparatus, for use in a tank having a rim, a clamp adapted to be detachably connected to said rim and having an upwardly facing socket, means removably supporting a motor on said clamp including a clevis having a stud rotatably and removably inserted in said socket for rotation of the clevis about the axis of said stud, a support plate pivotally mounted on said clevis to rotate about a horizontal axis parallel to the plate and perpendicular to the axis of said stud and said socket, a motor mounted on said support plate including a shaft perpendicular to the axis of said pivotal mounting of the support plate, a barrel for containing articles to be plated separably coupled to said motor shaft coaxially therewith.

2. In an electroplating apparatus as deined in claim 1, wherein said clevis is U-shaped with a base and two upstanding arms and having said stud intermediate and parallel to said arms, and said support plate is pivotally mounted on and between said arms and intermediate the length of the plate, intermediate the length of said motor and in a common plane with the axis of said stud,

3. In an electroplating apparatus, in combination, a rotatable container for holding articles to be plated, au electric motor unit for rotating the container, means of operative connection between the motor unit and container for rotating the latter, said motor unit including a motor, a drive shaft protruding from the motor, a ilat supporting plate for the motor, a tubular member disposed across the plate for supporting said plate, a clevis device having perforated upstanding ends, engaging the ends of the tubular member with the perforations in line with the axial yopening in the tubular member, a nut fixed on one upstanding end on the outside surface in line with the perforation therein, a pin extending loosely through the axial opening in the tubular member, said pin having a threaded end extending through the nut, said pin protruding outwardly of Iboth upstanding ends and nut, and a knob xed on `one protruding end of said pin, said knob having a hub portion engaging the other upstanding end of the clevis device whereby upon rotation of the knob the upstanding ends are fastened against the iiat supporting plate and the ends of the tubular member, and a depending pivot pin integral with the body of the clevis device midway the ends thereof for coaction with a socket.

4. In an electroplating apparatus, in combination, an elongated tank for holding an electrolytic solution, a rim along the top of said tank, a rotatable container for holding articles to be plated, an electric motor unit for rotating said container including a motor and a supporting plate therefor, a socketed clamping device detachably and slidably mounted on the rim of the tank, and means of operative connection between the motor unit and the clamping device whereby the motor unit may be either tilted or rotated, the operative connection including a tubular member fastened to and extending across the motor supporting plate, a clevis device having perforated upstanding ends engaging the ends of the tubular member with the perforations in line with the axial opening in the tubular member, a nut fixed on the outer` surface of one upstanding end in line with the perforation therein, a pin extending through said tubular member and having a threaded end extending through said nut, and a knob fixed on one protruding end of said pin, said knob having a hub portion engaging the other upstanding end of the clevis device whereby upon rotation of the knob the upstanding ends of the clevis device are fastened against the tiat supporting plate and the ends of the tubular member, and a depending pivot pin integral with the body of the clevis device midway the ends thereof rotatably and removably insertable in the socket portion of the socketed clamping device on the rim of the tank.

References Cited JOHN H. MACK, Primary Examinez'.

W. VAN SISE, Assistant Examiner. 

